The Forbidden (Bluegrass Empires 2) by Sawyer Bennett-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 23, 2024

The prince of his family’s Kentucky bourbon empire, Gabriel Mardraggon is a ruthless and cunning businessman. Focused on the continued success of Mardraggon Enterprises, relationships and settling down aren’t even on his radar. After all, he’s the product of two people who always put money before love. Loyal to the family’s creed of winning at all costs, as well as their hatred of the Blackburns, Gabe will never accept peace between the dynasties.

Katherine Blackburn is Gabe’s polar opposite—carefree, lighthearted and completely mischievous. Kat works hard as a horse trainer but never hesitates to let her hair down and have a little fun. And lately that has included poking at Gabe and his buttoned-up ways, much to his irritation. Getting a rise out of the cold but gorgeous Mardraggon heir brings Kat unfettered joy, especially given their two families’ ugly history together.

Blackburns and Mardraggons are bitter enemies. Any type of relationship would be strictly forbidden. But when Gabe’s business dealings hurt Kat in a way he never imagined, his walls crumble and he’s forced to lay his feelings for Kat bare. Now Gabe has to decide if he’s ready to alter the course of history or walk away from the only genuine thing he’s ever known.

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REVIEW:THE FORBIDDEN is the second instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult BLUEGRASS EMPIRES erotic, romance series focusing on the Blackburn and the Mardraggon families. This is twenty-seven year old, horse trainer Katherine ‘Kat’ Blackburn, and attorney/businessman/ heir to the Mardraggon empire Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Mardraggon’s story line. THE FORBIDDEN can be read as a stand alone but for back story I recommend reading book one THE FEUD.

SOME BACKGROUND: The Mardraggon and Blackburn families have been in a virtual war for approximately one-hundred and seventy years . The reasons focus on a history between the two families, a history that no longer involves the current generations but both families struggle in the wake of ongoing betrayal, and the Mardraggon’s are slowly spiraling out of control.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Gabe and Kat) THE FORBIDDEN follows in the wake of his father’s betrayal and actions that could have cost the life of someone Gabe and Kat both loved. Desperate to make amends for his father’s actions, Gabe is offering to give up control, and in doing so, rekindle a relationship he destroyed eight years earlier by pushing away the woman he would always love. Enter Katherine Blackburn. The Blackburn and Mardraggon families will now be connected for the rest of eternity but their history continues to affect the present day. As Gabe tries to make amends, Kat will fall victim to another betrayal, another betrayal by someone else.

The world building continues to focus on a one-hundred and seventy year old feud between two wealthy and connected families, families that barely remember what happened or why. Gabe and Kat’s previous relationship was kept secret for fear of retaliation but it would be Kat who would pay the ultimate price when another betrayal targets our story line heroine.

The relationship between Kat and Gabe is one of second chances. Gabe destroyed Katherine’s heart and soul eight years earlier when he refused to acknowledge their relationship, and in doing so, tore down any hope or trust for our story line heroine. As Gabe and Kat attempt to rebuild what once was, someone else is working behind the scenes to punish Gabe for the sins of the past. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful , powerful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including Kat’s siblings,-Trey, Wade, Ethan and Marcie, their mother Fiona; Ethan’s daughter Sylvie; Gabe’s parents Lionel and Rosemund Mardraggon. The requisite evil has many faces.

THE FORBIDDEN is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, secrets and lies, money and entitlement, family and acceptance, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is complex, dramatic and inviting ; the characters are animated, sassy and stubborn; the romance is edgy.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE FEUD

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Try it before you buy it! Click below to READ or HEAR a sample ofThe Forbidden:

READ the first three chapters | HEAR the first chapter

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

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